A Thanksgiving Story You Need to Hear
Author and conservative radio host Eric Metaxas wrote a picture book called Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving almost thirty years ago. In a time when most school-aged children are indoctrinated into believing that Thanksgiving is something to be reviled as it represents colonization, oppression, and cultural appropriation, this rendition flips that narrative on its head, telling instead the story of God’s grace and providence. This little book, beautifully illustrated and written, still inspires readers today.
The book begins by telling the tale of a young Patuxet boy named Tisquantum (Squanto), who was captured by traders in Massachusetts in 1608 and sold into slavery. Squanto was taken aboard a ship which sailed to Málaga, Spain. In Málaga, a group of Catholic monks purchased Squanto. They fed him, gave him a warm place to stay, and taught him about God. They told Squanto that God loved him deeply and that despite all he had been through, God would use these terrible experiences in ways he could never imagine.
The monks knew that Squanto had missed his former life and arranged for passage to England so that he might eventually return to his home in Massachusetts. The monks sent Squanto to a kind couple named the Slaney’s. Touched by his story, the Slaney’s took Squanto into their home and taught him English. They promised to let Squanto return to America when a ship was available.
Finally, in 1618, ten years after being captured, Squanto returned to his childhood home. When he arrived in Massachusetts, he was surprised to see that his village had been decimated and the entire tribe had been wiped out by an epidemic. Squanto was understandably saddened. During this time, he met another friendly Indian, Samoset, who arranged a meeting with a group of English settlers (the Pilgrims) near his old Patuxet village.
The Pilgrims told Squanto about their struggles and how almost half of their group had died their first winter of sickness and starvation. Squanto was moved with pity as he knew what it was like to lose so much. Squanto then showed the Pilgrims how to plant corn and find food like eels and shellfish in the ocean. Instead of being bitter that his people were all gone and lashing out in violence and resentment, Squanto used the survival skills he had learned as a child to help those in need.
The Pilgrims, in turn, thanked God for sending Squanto to them, and Squanto thanked the God he had been taught about as a boy for using him in His great plan. Squanto soon realized that if he had not been captured, he would have died with the rest of his tribe and could not have helped the Pilgrims. The kindness afforded to him and the religious education he had received from the Catholic monks in Spain changed his life’s direction.
So, what is the true miracle of Thanksgiving? What man has intended for evil, God can make into good. This story has played out throughout history in many different iterations. Squanto’s story is reminiscent of Joseph in the Old Testament, who his brothers imprisoned and later saved the Israelites.
Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve this present end, the survival of many people. So now, do not fear. I will provide for you and for your children.” By thus speaking kindly to them, he reassured them. Joseph remained in Egypt, together with his father’s household. He lived a hundred and ten years. Genesis 50:20
From all of us at GMC, we wish you and your loved ones a most blessed Thanksgiving. May God bless you abundantly, and may you trust in His providence and embrace your trials with patience and grace, even if you do not fully understand His master plan.
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